Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Songs Of My Heart - SATISFIED WITH JESUS

Satisfied with Jesus link would not come up. Go to You Tube, Dr. James H. Tucker, Satisfied with Jesus. It will bless your soul.

Sometimes I just have to go back home.

Sometimes, I have to refresh the memories of my heart, of the old folks who encouraged me on with their simple songs like these two, "Satisfied With Jesus" or "I Thank You Jesus."

Sometimes, like this morning I just have to stop and say, Thank You Jesus, my soul is satisfied. Thank You Jesus, You're here today. Whatever happens on today, the world and all of its trials cannot make me doubt You, I know too much about You, and my soul is satisfied with You. They sang with the conviction of years of leaning and depending on Jesus. They sang with the knowledge that there is only one who saves, only one they can call on and know He will answer, only one who can do them like no other. They would throw back their head or sometimes even, bend their heads in their laps and sing like nobody was there but Jesus. The old folks would add in

I thank You, thank You Jesus
I thank You, than You Jesus
I thank You, thank You Jesus in my soul

I thank You, thank You Jesus
I thank You, thank You Jesus
I thank You, thank You Jesus in my soul

I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin' in my soul

I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin' in my soul

It burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus in my soul
Oh, it burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus in my soul

The tune would catch and somebodyelse would add something else to it, and before you knew it the song turned into a history of livin' - Ya Lord!!

This morning before I left for work I just couldn't let go. I sang these two songs getting ready for work, driving to and in between jobs. My car was filled with worship as these songs penetrated my heart. It's so good to feel the fire of His presence, and be assured in His love - Ya LORD!!!!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Songs Of My Heart - IN THE NAME OF JESUS



I love this song. Today it brings to mind how we have, throughout history, used this phrase "In the name of Jesus." Wars have been fought, much blood loss, lives destroyed, people burned at the stake, victories won, addictions broken, families restored, and many have willingly surrendered their lives in their refusal to reject - The name of Jesus.

So today I was thinking (hmmm), What do I do in the name of Jesus, how do I want my life to be projected in the name of Jesus, but more importantly, how does He see me living in His name?

I cannot live just to represent myself, but I must always be me. There are and have been times in my life where I have supposedly given up some of the relevant stuff to follow after Him and His will. Going to Mississippi from Seattle was one of those times. I had accomplished much, and was secure in me. People in my field of work, in several different states, knew who I was, I was full of me. When I got to Mississippi, the question became, "Jay who?" Humbling it was. But it became another beginning, another level of learning who "me" is, and to trust the Lord.

I had again started anew in Mississippi, and over 13 years I was no longer a stranger. The Lord allowed me to accomplish a few things there, then in 2001 BAM!!! I'm in Bellingham, Washington. What was the Lord going to do with a woman of 56 years, who had only received her ministerial license one year before, and there was no Full Gospel Baptist Chuch here - what was He going to do with me? And I didn't even have a job! Again, I'm in unknown territory, except to God. A little scared, yet I knew, this time I was really I traveling in the name of Jesus, and walking by faith that He knew what He was doing with me.

I'm a Midwest lady.
In Iowa, Kansas & Minnesota He healed me and moved me (He keeps doing that).
In Seattle, He showed me He loved me, and chose me, and cleaned me up.
In Mississippi, He broke addictions, and taught me how to trust and depend on Him in a land of strangers.
In Bellingham, Wa He taught me how to know Him as Father (Abba= Daddy), and seeing myself as a well loved daughter. Through the precious blood of Jesus I live to carry His name.

The Lord led me to SALT ON THE STREET. SALT is a ministry to the homeless. The word delivered, that Jesus Loves you is constant; in saying and in doing. The healing message and response of the SALT volunteers is an answer to the cry of many:
Is there anyone who loves me or cares about me?
Is there anyone who wants to be with me when I'm not in control?
Is there anyone who is not afraid to touch my tears?
We are servants in the name of Jesus. There have been times over the years where I've had to check myself from not serving just out of Habit. I must serve out of love for the person and the name of Jesus. The results are long lasting, and in some case life saving.

I see our Lord as majestic, awesome and Holy, but also as familiar, loving and close to me. I want to be a vessel that He chooses to use in His name, for His purpose. I don't heal, I don't open blind eyes, I don't break addictions, I don't free the captive soul - Jesus does!

I pray He sees me as surrendered to Him and His will. I pray He sees me as loving to His people. I am His daughter who knows His voice, His touch, and trusts Him to supply my every need. He asks, "Do you love me? Feed my sheep, feed my lambs." I shall, In The Name Of JESUS.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Songs Of My Heart - I LOVE YOU

I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU

I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU

I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU


About a month ago, I attended a Sunday morning service where two different denominations came together to worship our Savior and Head of the church, Jesus (House of Wisdom Non-Denominational Church and Hope In Christ Christian Reform Church). It was a beautiful exchange and interaction of the body of Christ. Pastor Westbrook, The minister who preached started by talking about the need to have a love song for Jesus. That stayed with me. And the words above are my love song to Jesus. Sing a simple song...

I write much; stories, poetry, and even a few songs, but I will always remember why I sing this. Sometimes I just get so filled up, that all I can say is "I love YOU." So why am I writing this today? I read an article this morning, in Tracie Armstrong's SPIRIT Magazine about a child who was praying. It's so beautiful to hear a child pray. I'm awed to my bones as I listen to my grandchildren talk to the Lord. Okay Jay, get back on track... the article talked about a child praying, and the words "I love You" slipped out. Not I love God or I love Jesus, but I love You. So personal, so precious, so cool that our heart cry can be so audible throughout Heaven and the universe in "I LOVE YOU JESUS."

When I sing to Jesus burdens are lifted, the joy of living is rejuvenated, the cares of the day seem so small, and I know that whatever I'm doing today, or will face in this day - Jesus is there with me. He said I will never leave or forsake you, I am with you always, and I am more than the world against you, and as the Father has love Me, so I love you.

I LOVE YOU JESUS!!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Songs Of My Heart - GIVE ME A CLEAN HEART



Give me a clean heart so I may serve thee.
Lord, fix my heart so that I may be used by thee,
For I’m not worthy of all your blessings.
Give me a clean heart, and I’ll follow thee.

I’m not asking for the riches of this land,
And I’m not asking for men in high places to know my name.
Please-- give me, Lord, a clean heart that I may follow thee.
Give me a clean heart, and I’ll follow thee.


As I was having my meditation and prayer this morning, I was reminded that it is not about clean clothes or clean hands, it's not about the car I drive or about the degrees I have; but my walk/our walk with the Lord is about having a clean heart.

In the past few months my meditation has taken me to scriptures that have to do with the heart of the leadership of the church. Being that I is one, and am also a part of the the crowd of 'Older Women' whose responsibility it is to teach the younger, it is of great concern that I look at what we are giving the people, the sheep and lambs of Christ. Are they being fed? Is our Sunday meal giving the little ones in Christ the nurishment they need to grow? Are we offering food throughout the week, to hold them through the struggles of their weekly life outside the four walls of the sanctuary? Is it in our hearts as shepherds to go into the highways and byways where the people are? Are we offering 'feel good stuff' that will only last awhile, or teaching them as babies who will one day grow into wise leaders? Are we living as though the Holy Spirit of God lives in us, and teaching that we are not our own, but brought with the high price of the blood of Jesus? Are we teaching that His love is so strong, that nothing can draw us away - do we as leaders really live like that, and is that what the unsaved world sees in us/me/we as leaders?

Jesus said to ask of the Father what we will in His name, and it shall be done. This song, 'Give Me A Clean Heart' has always been one of my favorites, but today this is what I ask, it is my prayer.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Songs Of My Heart - I WANT TO WALK AND TALK WITH JESUS



I'm still on the "I Wants." Shortly after I woke up this morning this old song came to me. I'm so grateful for YOU TUBE and Web Searches, that I can find the words and hear so many of the old hymns and gospel songs that are not sung that much today. I grew up with the Barrett Sisters. If you are into Gospel music, check them out. Their ministry was tremendous.

Verse 1
I want to walk and talk with Jesus each and every day
I want my life to be an example for Him in every way
I want to treat my brothers the way that Jesus wants me to
Because He said 'Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you'

Verse 2

I want Him to lead me and guide me in everything I say and do
In His service I want Him to choose me and use me I do not choose
What a wonderful Counselor, Mighty Prince of Peace is He
And all I want each day is just a closer walk with thee

Chorus
I want Him to shower me with His blessings from up above
And rock me, rock me, rock me in the cradle of Your love


I was reading a meditation selection today. It was talking about how we as pastors sometimes put more emphasis on scripture than we do on the active role of HOLY SPIRIT in our day to day lives. It struck me as true in mine also. There are those days when I fully, and often throughout the day ask His direction. Then there are those days when I speak to Him in the morning, and the rest of the day is my own. Am I alone in this? Let me know how you're doing in this area. That's what brought about the song. I hope you listen to the words. For me this is where I want to be, walking and talking with Jesus each and everyday. I want my life to be an example for Him in every way...

Jesus told His disciples that when He left He would be leaving the Holy Spirit which would help them live victoriously for Him. "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:25-27). So this is my prayer today, "Teach me, Lead me, Use me to have a closer walk with You - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As I go out, let Your love through me reach out today.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Songs Of My Heart - ROADBLOCKS TO VICTORY



The song says:

I WANT TO BE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, I want to be one of His disciples.
I want to walk in the newness of life, so let me be a follower of Christ.
What do I have to do?
What do I have to say?
How do I have to walk each and every day?
Tell me what does it cost, just to carry the cross?
So let me be a follower of Christ.


I'm thinking all of us have "Roadblocks/Stealers" in our lives that attempt to trake us away from being a "Follower of Christ;" stealers that we consent to which sway us from following the road Christ is leading us down today. For me it is "games". I love computor games. I can come in and be mindless for a few minutes, relax, and not think. Sometimes as I'm playing a game I get a really good idea for something to write about, but more often I fall into the quicksand of wasted time, that lasts much longer than I first anticipated. Then I find myself playing catch-up on the assignment the Lord has blessed me to have. I finish it - always. But my best was not given to the Lord.

In this song I find not only self examination, but a statement of my purpose to walk in the newness of life that Christ daily sets before me. Proverbs 1:8 says to listen to what your father and mother teach you. What you learn will crown your with grace and clothe you in honor. I was taught, do the work first - then play. Set your priorities. We have often heard the saying, "Actions speak louder than words," the enticement for me of technology (games)can be as compelling as people who have no purpose but to draw me from my purpose, and destroy what the Lord is growing inside. And I have played a willing part.

For me and for all of us who want to be and are 'Followers of Christ,' these roadblocks must be identified and dealt with - EARLY. When the games I play take 1st place - God's place, they become sin.

The beginning of wisdom is God. With wisdom get understanding of who you are, where is God in your life today, what/who are the roadblocks in your life, and where is your strength?

Thank you Lord for the Your wisdom, and giving me understanding of my weaknesses, and strength in Christ. Thank you for Your amazing love that leads me back on the road to victory. Let not my eyes sway from You today, let me not pass up the opportunity to speak in kindness, to love others as You have loved me today.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Songs Of My Heart - LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE



MY TESTIMONY: An old song that expresses daily the love and power of the Lord.

Many of you have prayed for and with me over the weekend about my back. The testimony of the healing was so long I couldn't put it on the Facebook page, so I'm back to the blog. Not only in my life, but as the Lord works in, works out, heals and touches we must tell it.

About five years ago I fell over one of the cement parking thing-a-ma-jigs downtown and a lower disc in my back was moved out of place. I was preparing to have surgery on my shoulder and didn't want surgery on my back, so I went into physical therepy for it. Well it only bothers me about once a year and sometimes not that, but when it does, it's pure pain, and I'm laid up for about a week. This weekend it happened again. I didn't go to church Sunday, stayed home and nursed it real good (ice, pills, etc).

There was a minister coming to Pastor Anthony Westbrook's, House of Wisdom Non- Denominational Church, and I was planning on going. The minister is Kevin Ford, and he was going to speak on healing. Just where I should'a been right? I stayed home. Well, I got through Sunday, and went to work Monday, gingerly working and moving so as not to be in too much pain. Monday night I did go to the service. I tell others that there is healing in our praise, but I wasn't practicing what I preach. I was on the praise team, singing, moving a little bit, but to be truthful I wasn't giving Jesus my all, my mind was on my back.

I had met Pastor Kevin and his wife once before like introduction, hello, welcome to Bellingham. So I really didn't know much about him, and until I saw him again Monday, his name didn't phase me. After we sang and he got up to give his message, he talked about how the Lord healed him from various addictions, brought him out of homelessness (living in a box, delivered him from a lot of "ism's = I, Self and Me" to using him in His service, restoring his life, and giving him another family, while restoring past relationships with his previous family - The Lord Heals.

Kevin asked if anyone was having back pain, I was one of several who raised our hands. He came over to me and asked permission to take my hands, then he knelt down in front of me. He asked if I had one leg longer than the other, I told him, "Not that I was aware of." He took my shoes off (I was glad I had done my toenails), and then as we looked at my legs I saw that one was longer than the other. He assured me he was not going to yank or twist, but that the Lord would heal. He asked the congregation to come and see, they did. He just gently held both my legs over him arm.

As he held my legs, Pastor Kevin talked of healing, he talked of the love that Christ has for us, he talked about the Word, and the power in speaking the Word of God - he didn't pray, preach or beg for God to heal. At times he would say something funny, making us all laugh a little. As he held my legs, to our amazement - the shorter one became longer until it was even with the other. NEVER IN MY LIFE, had I EVER seen anything like that or experienced this. He asked me to stand, and then asked me about my pain level. I told him it was about a 7 when I came in, and that right now it was about a 3. He asked me to bend over and touch my toes. I used to do Modern Dance, so I was used to being able to put the palm of my hand on the floor with my legs straight. Now at 63 years old, it has been many a year since I could even come close to doing this, but I did. Not once or twice, but about 20-30 times, all the way up and all the way down. LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAD DONE - HE HEALED MY BODY.

Not only did he heal my back, but my shoulders were without pain, and my knees were bending like they had not in years. HE HEALED MY BODY, HE TOUCHED MY MIND, HE SAVED ME IT WAS JUST IN TIME - I'M GONNA' PRAISE HIS NAME, HE'S EVERMORE THE SAME, I'M GONNA PRAISE HIM, LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE.

When the praise team (including me) returned to sing, I was able to dance, dance, dance. Those who know me know I don't do a lot of bouncing around, but Jesus touched my body and gave me a dance. Today is Wednesday and I am without back pain, even the morning pains I usually wake up with. I spent a lot of years ignoring the Lord and doing my own thing with the energy He gave me. I know He is giving it back, and I will expend much energy in serving, praising, worshipping Him. My Father God loves us so very much, and He makes His presence known in our lives everyday. LOOK AROUND AT WHAT THE LORD IS DOING!